7 Facts to remember about the Cross of Christ

1. 7 Facts to remember about the Cross of Christ Matthew 26:17-29 Main points from article, “Aids to Remembrance in the Lord’s Supper,” by Bobby L. Graham

2. Matthew 26:17-23 • 17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? • 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. • 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. • 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. • 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. • 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? • 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

3. Matthew 26:24-29 • 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. • 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. • 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. • 27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; • 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. • 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

4. Introduction • Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in order that we remember him! • He emphasized “this do in remembrance of me.” • We can sometimes loose focus on what we should remember • The points in this lesson will: • Give us more insight about the events of the Cross • Refresh our minds on some often forgotten details • Help up us to maintain the proper focus when we partake of the Lord’s Supper • Help us to better remember and appreciate Christ’s suffering

5. #1 – One Lord! • The one and only Lord died for all of His creation! • 2 Corinthians 5:14 • He was and is Master, the onedeserving first place! • Colossians 1:12-22 • His lordship indicates ownership and authority! • Matthew 28:18-19 • As servants we must acknowledge our submission to Him! • Not our interests, desires, passions, money, or pleasures • 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 • At the Supper we must remember the one who died to save us from our sins!

6. #2 – Two Thieves! • Two ordinary robbers, who violated the law of God and of man • They operated on the notion: • Might makes right • What is yours is mine • I will take it if I can • In contrast the sinless Lord of Glory: • Respected the law of both God & man • Came to fulfill the law &the prophets • Matthew 5:17-18

7. #3 – Three Crosses! • One cross of repentancefor the penitent thief: • Acknowledged his sins and… • Reprimanded the other thief • Luke 23:39-42 • One cross of rebellion: • The other thief died and persisted in his slanderous speech toward Jesus • He doubted and did not fear God or man • Luke 23:39 • The cross of redemption: • Jesus diedfor the sins of the wholeworld • 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2:24

8. #4 – Four Soldiers & Four Parts! • Four soldiers asked for some of the clothing Jesus - John 19:23 • They wanted a souvenir of the crucifixion because of the extraordinary person whom they were crucifying • Divided His garments in four parts • The four cast lots for the seamless cloak • The unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine is our souvenir • Helps us to remember the One who died for us!

9. #5 – Five Wounds! • Jesus suffered many wounds to his body: • Five are easy to identify: • To each foot/lower leg = 2 • To each hand/wrist area = 2 • To his side by the sword piercing it = 1 • The crown of thorns inflicted others • Isaiah prophesied of the wounding of the Lord • Isaiah 53:5 • “…Every thorn, every nail, every tear was for me…” • # 369 – Mended And Whole

10. #6 – Six Hours on the Cross! • Jesus hung on the cross for six hours • From the 3rd to the 9th hour • Mark 15:25, 34 • These were hours of agony • The final three hours were a time of darkness over the land • Luke 23:44 • The veil of the Temple was rent at the end of this time the from top to bottom! • Matthew 27:51 • Shows the hand of God rather than the hand of man, who would have torn it from the bottom to the top

11. #7 – Seven Sayings of Jesus! • While He hung there Jesus uttered seven different statements, each revealing something of his nature, concern, purpose& destiny: • Prayer for forgiveness - “Father, forgive them…what they do” • Luke 23:34 • Promise of salvation - “This day shalt the be with me in paradise” • Luke 23:43 • Statement of compassion- “Behold thy mother” • John 19:26-27 • Cry of human suffering - “I thirst” • John 19:28 • Cry of loneliness- “My God, my God why…forsaken me?” • Matthew 27:46 • Declaration of victory- “It is finished” • John 19:30 • Statement of trust- “Father into to thy hands…my spirit” • Luke 23:46

12. Conclusion • May these thoughts help us fully focus on the sacrifice of Jesus when we partake of the Lord’s Supper that he instituted! • One Lord • Two thieves • Three crosses • Four parts of His garment • Five wounds • Six hours of Darkness • Seven sayings of Jesus

13. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.